@Sheilago Its where you test new pattersn for designers before they release them into the wild for sale. So you test the pattern for sense, accuracy on sizing, yarn quantities, measurements, different yarns. Its really good. The geek in me loves the gathering of all the info. tho not the re knitting 40 times cos there was a mistake in the patter bit. Then they give you the pattern for free and another one, or a discount off yarn if they do it or further patterns.
I tend to knit for a few of them now and have my favourites, but I often pick ones where I need to learn something new so that I don't stay stuck on what I know.
i need to rest and I'm not good at it so the knitting keeps me on my bum and keeps the arthritic fingers moving. I do it a lot in front of the TV too